Description
“Refreshingly and brutally honest, the author describes a spiritual path full of poverty, loneliness, and suffering as she struggles to come to terms with her divorce, the death of loved ones, and unrequited love. She reminds the reader that ‘the scandal of Christ is that to have a relationship with him means to share in his suffering,’xa0and that to live a life of radical social consciousness in the 21st century is often an alienating endeavor. King offers a genuinely moving account of her quest to follow Therese's little way, become a ‘victim of love’xa0and, indeed, to redefine what love means in the modern world. Recommended for anyone who is experiencing a ‘dark night of the soul’ or interested in contemporary spirituality.” — Publishers Weekly “If you are struggling with faith, with brokenness in your life, with an obsession, with an addiction, with a gnawing sense that your life is not what it should be, with the sense of being the outsider, an orphan at all the banquets of life, and, most of all, with the sense you don't love Jesus and he doesn't love you either, that you are nothing, then let this book find you. It's a book for those who think they might be too sick to be helped by a doctor.” — Ronald Rolheiser “This book brings out the grit of sanctity, how it is a continuous, no-holds barred full-on contact engagement with reality. The episodes from St. Therese’s life and Ms. King’s reflections concerning her own path show how both the French Carmelite and her L.A.-based follower simplify their lives, not as an escape, but precisely in order to face without distraction the gargantuan challenge and adventure of love, surrender, living out, to the last drop their embrace of the Savior of the world.” — Fr. Vincent T. Nagle, Holy Family Parish, Ramallah, West Bank, The Palestinian Territories “A moving book written with so much humility, confidence, and love. The true meaning of the Little Way shines through Heather King’s grace-filled witness. The author’s original prayers are some of the most beautiful I have ever read.” —Fr. Peter John Cameron, OP, editor-in-chief, Magnificat “What do Heather King and St. Thérèse de Lisieux have in common? Their lives of faith have been propelled by a revolutionary refusal to reduce their desire for happiness. Read this book and you will want to join them in their defense of the desires that make us human.” —Monsignor Lorenzo Albacete, theologian, physicist, and author of God at the Ritz From the Inside Flap What do heather King and St.xa0Thérèse ofxa0Lisieux have in common? Their lives of faith have been propelled by a revolutionary refusal to reduce their desire for happiness. Read this book and you will want to join them in their defense of the desires that make us human. --Msgr. Lorenzo Albacete, author of God at the Ritz "Heather King's sojourn with Saintxa0Thérèsexa0of Lisieux is a magnificent testimony not only to the Catholic conviction that the Saints endure in the life of the Church as real friends and lively companions, but also the uncanny ability of the "Little Flower" to graciously insinuate herself into the lives of the most unexpected people in the most surprising of circumstances.xa0 One of the year's best reads in Catholic spirituality!"xa0 --Father Robert Barron, Francis Cardinal George Professor of Faith and Culture Founder and Director of Word on Fire Catholic Ministries xa0 "Heather King's incisive honesty draws me in, makes me feel her agonies and joys, and sends me away enriched. St. Thérèse must be very pleased." -- Robert J. Edmonson, C.J., translator and editor, The Story of a Soul: A New Translation "This book brings out the grit of sanctity, how it is a continuous, no-holds barred full-on contact engagement with reality. The episodes from St.xa0Thérèse's life and Ms. King's reflections concerning her own path show how both the French Carmelite and her L.A.-based follower simplify their lives, not as an escape, but precisely in order to face without distraction the gargantuan challenge and adventure of love, surrender, living out, to the last drop their embrace of the Savior of the world." -- Fr. Vincent T. Nagle, Holy Family Parish, Ramallah, West Bank, The Palestinian Territories "A moving book written with so much humility, confidence, and love. The true meaning of the Little Way shines through Heather King's grace-filled witness. The author's original prayers are some of the most beautiful I have ever read." -- Fr. Peter John Cameron, O.P.xa0editor-in-chief, Magnificat "Heather King's walk with St.xa0Thérèsexa0is a profound account of turning one's life toward the light -- a journey to which, as she makes clear, we are all invited." -- Bethany Saltman, Zen essayist and poet Heather King is an ex-lawyer, sober alcoholic, contemplative, and Catholic convert who lives in the thick of Los Angeles. She is the author of two previous memoirs: Parched , and Redeemed: Stumbling Toward God, Marginal Sanity, and the Peace That Passes All Understanding . Visit her website at heather-king.com. She blogs at shirtofflame.blogspot.com. Read more
Features & Highlights
- If you have not read Heather King before, her honesty may shock you. In this remarkable memoir, you will see how a convert with a checkered past spends a year reflecting upon St. Thérèse of Lisieux—and discovers the radical faith, true love, and abundant life of a cloistered 19th-century French nun.
